Wagons offer expansive stowage areas while delivering better gas mileage, enhanced driver engagement and far sleeker exterior styling than SUV equivalents. The Panameras exterior design was a mite polarizing when it first emerged, but no one can argue with the venerable performance of the Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, a name nearly as long as the 16.5-foot wagon. I looked for a year for [this very car], Shepard told MotorTrend. 2. Starting from $68,650, its SUV-like ground clearance borrows from the Outbacks popular playbook, as does its butch body cladding and standard all-wheel drive. The huge success of Subarus Outback led many automakers to give their U.S.-market wagons similar treatments, with raised suspensions and SUV-like body cladding. 2022 Forbes Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. You could only buy an Audi Avant in Europe, until now. The box Chevy is one of the most popular body styles the brand ever had. The Outback also proficiently handles light off-roading. In 2022, Ford plans to launch an Outback rival called the Fusion Active, but a release date has not yet been announced. Brabus puts a special touch on all of the Mercedes vehicles that they work on, and this is true with the C63. 3. Subscribe to RR1 Live+ for exclusive virtual events all year long (at least 1 per month), conversations with Robb Report editors, special perks, and more. You could even say that the Coronet Wagon was the precursor to the Dodge Magnum drivers got decades later. Americans do get offered a VW Golf wagon, but our all-wheel estate version isnt offered in the R performance spec, thus topping out at around 145 horsepower. A joint production with Porsche and Audi AG, this limited-edition super wagon was only built for about 16 months in the mid-Nineties. It boasts 689 system horsepower, two second zero-to-60 times and a 196-mph top speed, but starts at $193,050 including destination fees. Europeans tend to buy more wagons than Americans, so most wagons offered in the U.S. market are from premium European brands. From afar, we must admire Wolfsburgs Golf R wagon, capable of unpacking 290 horsepower from a 2-liter turbo, all gussied up with carbon fiber and aggressive body styling. (Why yes, this wagon does have Drift Mode.) The BMW 3-Series offers one of the purest driving experiences you can get for the money. Under the bonnet was GMs LSA V-8, a 6.2-liter mill that was derived from the C6 Corvette ZR1s LS9. The Caprice Corvette Chaser is a well-rounded car with a lot of performance. Meet Audis first RS machine, the RS2 Avant. Aimed at outdoorsy types and first marketed as a sport utility wagon, the formula resonated. The performance of the Arnage was already at the top of its class, which made for a special type of ride. The GTC4Lusso is quite expensive but the price for a used example has come down in the past couple of years. The unique thing about the Arnage is that the performance is one of the most notable features. The E450 All-Terrains 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine is boosted by an electric motor, and hauls it to 60 mph in under five seconds while returning 24 mpg combined. Within each category, ranking was selected by two main criteria: 1) the relative merits and review ranking by Forbes Wheels staff and contributing authors, 2) the relative prices, feature sets and cargo space afforded by each vehicle compared with the others in each category. Its distinct white paint and subtle performance are two of the things that make this car stand out. Photo: Courtesy of Volkwagen. Despite good ideas and sound design, the latter endeavor didnt go well, and General Motors swooped in and bought half of Saab Automotive. On top of that, the Corvette chaser utilizes an actual Corvette engine, while keeping in line with its subtle look and feel. Future collectors item, right there. You dont need a wagon that has a Race Mode and Race Start, but youll spend a substantial amount of time toying with those features. How about 395 horsepower and a widebody kit that adds 2.3 inches to the beam? Heres hoping the market segment keeps blooming so were treated to a wider array of potent options. The company needed to bolster sales and thus a Chevelle SS Wagon was indeed released to the public. Photo: Courtesy of Volkswagen; Courtesy of Alpina; Courtesy of Barbus. Visually, this rakish wagon is much more extroverted than the E63 S or the Panamera, and its also breathtakingly fast. A bright spot that emerged post-merger? There are plenty of aftermarket upgrades that you can do to the Roadmaster that will increase the horsepower tremendously. The Panamera has a polarizing look all on its own. Gone are the wagons of yesteryear, though the childhood memories remain. But nevertheless, the segment has not evaporated. The Roadmaster is perhaps one of the most underrated vehicles of all time. Taller crossovers might have more volume overall, but to use all of it luggage still needs to be stacked to the ceiling. Even in base-model form its an energetic and enthusiastic performer, and the hot John Cooper Works (JCW) version brings a slew of chassis, suspension and performance enhancements for serious speed. The resulting wagon is so powerful, only 848 of the 1,069 lb-ft of torque produced is usable, due to powertrain longevity issues. The car had many of the same features as the original Chevelle SS, which made it quite a unique ride. It takes a mere 3.2 seconds to hit 60, especially in Sport Chrono mode. It boasts more overall cargo space than a Toyota RAV4 and has the best fuel economy of any midsize station wagon. While driving, reviewers also look for a melding of attributes relative to the expectations set by the manufacturer about the specific vehicle and by consumer expectations of the segment. Few wagons can take a Corvette on and beat it but the GTC4Lusso is one of them. A popular upgrade is to swap out the Buick body pieces with those from an Impala, making a rather unique-looking car. The exterior design was changed toward the end of the models lifecycle which added to the appeal. Most Sport Turismos cost less than that, but none are cheap, ranging from the base 335-horsepower 4 starting at $99,350 to the 552-horsepower 4S E-hybrid at $136,850. Why we picked it: The Outback has straddled the line between wagon and crossover since Subaru gave it a lifted suspension and SUV-like body cladding 25 years ago. It also adds an adjustable air suspension. The AWD capability means that you can take this car in the snow for the weekend and still be comfortable. Power comes from the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the V90 T5, returning 250 horsepower, but the V60 also offers a 415 horsepower plug-in hybrid version, the T8. Smooth-shifting on the fly still allows the E-Class to handle business discreetly. Apart from Subarus popular Outback, wagons are generally premium machines that sell in small numbers. Styling (20 points) An assessment of the cars overall design, styling and build quality, inside and out. A dream for many automotive enthusiasts is to have a 1995 Chevy Impala SS wagon, unfortunately, there was never an official model. Audi quotes only 30 cubic-feet of cargo space, but that only counts the space behind the rear seats. Despite impressive double-digit growth, long-roofs only represent about two percent of the total vehicle sales in the US, but its a promising start, one thats growing every day: Audi recently began US sales of the forbidden fruit that is the marvelous RS6 Avant, as noted below. Many offer just as much useful cargo and passenger space as similarly-sized crossoverssometimes more. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs GMC Sierra 1500. While performance is brisk, the V90 is tuned more for comfort than speed, and thats also reflected in the quiet, comfy cabin. When you take your first look at this wagon you know that something is different. For the most part, enthusiasts rave about the reliability of the 5.7L V8 Hemi engine. The wagon never made its way to U.S. shores, but there are a few that have been imported. Why we picked it: The Mini Clubman is the last remaining compact wagon on sale. The Panamera Sport Turismo is a far cry from the standard models in every sense of the word. Follow me on Instagram at @oldmotors and on Twitter at @SportZagato. With this powerful grocery-getter, you can smoke a Corvette and still make it to your dinner reservations. With Porsche genes running through its bloodlines, the Audi RS 6 Avant is a clear descendant of the Panamera. Transmission-wise, the nine-speed automatic gets the job done better than almost any other seen in a station wagon. So to take things to a whole new level Porsche introduced the Panamera Sport Turismo. Vehicles not yet rated by either agency will not lose points. The T5 hits 60 mph in the mid six-second range, while the T8 gets up to speed about two seconds faster. Photo: Courtesy of Volvo. Ive worked in automotive, aviation and marine media for more than a decade and reported on buying, selling and servicing cars for multiple industry publications, including Automotive News and WardsAuto. The supercar handling and the off-the-line performance are the best aspects of this car. The handsome and menacing 2020 V60 wagon eschews pure combustion and melds in electric motors, batteries and EV technology to assist its stalwart twin-induction 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder. In concert, 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of yank are on tap, and itll rip to 60 in 4.4 seconds and scramble through the quarter in 12.9 seconds. Wagons are not generally the first segment that you equate with performance, but the M5 Estate changes that perspective. The looks of the car are also nothing to sneeze at, with stylish curves and a nice set of wheels to set things off. Thats left only the Mini Clubman and Subaru Outback on sale among affordable wagons, though Mini straddles the line between popular and premium. The whole V-series was decadently insane, in terms of performance and spec numbers, and the CTS-V Wagon was the chefs kiss of the supercharged family. Audi RS2 Avant The Sportwagon version of this car has the same power that youd find under the hood of a Corvette. Why New Vehicles Should Have Apple CarPlay Or Android Auto, How To Prepare Your Vehicle For A Road Trip, Crossover looks with passenger and cargo space, CVT saps fun from otherwise great powertrains, Not as style oriented, or style conscious, as other wagons, All Clubmans are good performers, especially the JCW variant, Lacks tech, particularly driver-assist features, Pricey compared with non-premium compact cars, Handsome proportions, vast interior space, Nearly as luxurious and tech-heavy as a flagship S-Class, Less cargo room than Mercedes-Benz or Volvo rivals, Its design looks at home in Architectural Digest, Cheaper than Audi or Mercedes-Benz rivals, No plug-in hybrid option as on S90 and XC90, Lots of in-car tech and driver-assist features, More space than Q3 or Q5, but less usable space than some other wagons, Lifted, body-kitted look only, no conventional wagon choice, Supercar performance with everyday practicality, Slightly tamer sedan versions are cheaper, Fastback styling looks even better than Panamera sedan, Lots of different powertrain choices, all powerful, All are expensive, top trim is priciest wagon available, Low roof and big pillars limit visibility, cargo space, Touchscreen-only controls for many functions, Costly price rises sharply with options, which are required to unlock full performance, Performance and fuel economy hindered slightly by weight. Today Outback grossly outsells all of the other wagons on this list combined. (Like those of the Griswolds on family vacations, ambling through the idyllic countryside in a Wagon Queen Family Truckster that was actually a 1979 Ford Country Squire LTD, modded by the film studio). By cramming a Hemi engine into the Coronet Wagon, the company created quite the muscle car. Todays wagons are anything but underpowered steel slouches. As if all that speedy goodness isnt enough, you also get a factory warranty. The W8 is one of the most well-put-together cars to come out of Germany. With 425 horsepower to its wheels, this is an impressive way to cart the kids to school and back. The beautiful performance and styling of the C63 make it a standout vehicle for several reasons and a wagon that shouldnt be overlooked. The 850 can go from 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds and hit 217 miles an hour, but youll need to upgrade your tires first, as the stock ones are only rated to 186 mph. Volkswagen Golf Estate R FighteR Why we picked it: Based on the A6 sedan, Audi introduced the first lifted, off-road themed Allroad in 1999.